I've been waiting for My Chemical Romance to release new music ever since I first played 'Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge'. I found that CD to be as catchy as syphilus, and it's still in heavy rotation in my cd stacker. 'The Black Parade' is the bands third full length release.

'The Black Parade' is a concept album, and follows the story of a guy known as "The Patient". It would appear that the Patient is dying from a terminal illness, with each track documenting the final days/hours/minutes of his life as he reflects on his short life, and what it could have been had he approached things differently. That's my interpretation in any case. It's probably safe to label this album as "ambitious".

Listening from start to finish, 'The Black Parade' tells a story, but unlike some 'concept' albums, the songs stand up well on their own. In my opinion, concept albums are fraught with danger. There's always the risk that the band could get lost up their own butt holes. Fortunately My Chemical Romance haven't fallen for that old chestnut.

The title track, 'The Black Parade' starts out with plunking toy piano before blasting out into a bombastic chorus. 'House of Wolves' is fast paced punk-pop. For some reason the track 'Teenagers' reminds me a little of 'Ob-la-di, ob-la-da' by the Beatles, if the Beatles had been a little more punk.

The other thing I like about this album is that there are some cracking guitar solo's. I've had a hankering for a decent guitar solo lately and fortunately this album delivers.

In short, this is a great third album. I'd say it's on a par with 'Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge', although stylistically 'The Black Parade' may find a greater audience as it seems a little more accessible than it's predecessor. By accessible I mean radio friendly. While the subject matter may sound depressing, the music is not. Buy it.